“The Barony of Blairgowrie—a
gift fit even tor a Queen to bestow.”—Queen Mary to Ronald Graeme..

THE volume now published has
been the work of my leisure for many months, but the collecting and
compiling has been the labour of nearly fifteen years. During that period
the MS. has been revised, condensed, and re-written five times. It was
undertaken more from regard to the necessity of meeting a want long felt to
exist than from any sense of fitness for the task. The Rev. James
Johnstone’s contribution to the Statistical Account of Scotland is very
valuable, and is reproduced in its entirety, yet lip to 1865, when Ireland’s
handbook was issued, no History of Blairgowrie existed. In supplying the
want referred to, I have endeavoured to collect and compile, as far as
possible, the historical facts, records, and traditions, in the hope that
they will interest and gratify the sons and daughters of “ Rest and be
thankful,” especially those scattered abroad, with the memories of the good
old town.

I desire to express my
obligations to those writers (a list of whom is given) of whose labours I
have availed myself, and also to many townsmen who have kindly afforded me
the use of materials in their possession, or communicated information
tending to make the volume more complete To Rev. Robert Kemp, M.A., for the
“Parochial Registers”; to Mr G. S. Duncan, P.S.A., Scot., for "Church
Records”; to Mr William Davie, for “Notes on Blairgowrie”; to Mr A. Davidson
Smith, O.A., Edinburgh, Secretary of Royal Caledonian Curling Club, for
permission to reproduce the illustration, “Curlers of Blairgowrie”; to
Messrs C. & R. Anderson, publishers of “North British Agriculturist,”
Edinburgh, for block of “John Pauton”; to Mr John L. Ford, merchant, for
blocks “At Blairgowrie,” “The Square, Wellmeadow,” “Keith Falls,” and
“Craighall”; to Mr J. E. Butchart, litho. artist, and Mr Robert Blackwood,
lithographer, Dundee, for the excellent litho. portraits and sketches; and
to Mr Alex. Allan, of the “Blairgowrie Advertiser,” for all other blocks
reproduced in the volume.

My thanks are specially due
to Mr John Christie, of the “Blairgowrie Advertiser,” for his valuable
assistance in the correction of proof sheets, and in the supervision of the
work while passing through the press.

I trust that the volume
(imperfect as it may be) now submitted to the indulgent consideration of the
public, will promote an intelligent and healthy interest in all that
pertains to the Town, Parish, and District.

Chapter I.
Situation of the Town—Extent of the Parish—Topography -Latitude and
Longitude—Etymology of Blairgowrie - Traditions—Description of the Town
Origin of Street Sames—Soil—Geology — Quarries — Fossils—Wood —Arboriculture
— Piscatorial—Zoology,

Chapter III
King Charles I.—Charter of Burgh of Barony—Barony Court— Gallows Knowe—Montrose—Sacking
of Newton Castle— Donald Cargill—John Erskine—The Ghost of Mause: Full
Description—Prince Charlie and the Curlers’Dii-rer—Duke of Cumberland at
Woodlands—Division of the Muir of Blair—Coble Pule—Boat Brae—Muckle Mill
Erected—Purchase of Blairgowrie Estate—Military Service in Blairgowrie—Enrolment
Returns, 1803—A Rille Corps—A Distinguished Officer—Burgh Charters—Erection
of Parish Church—Stage Coach—Introduction of Gas and Printing—Visits of the
Queen—Auld Brig o’ Blair—An Incident of the French Resolution—The First
Newspaper—Introduction of the Railway Service—A Good Story—Burns Centenary
Celebration—Inauguration of Volunteer Movement, 1859

Chapter IV.
Founding of Public Hall—Earl Russell at Meikleour—Address from
Inhabitants—Public Banquet—Address by Meikleour Tenantry—Earl Russell’s
Speech—Opinions of the Press—A French View—Introduction of Water
Supply—Report and Analysis of Water—Drainage of Town—Erection of New
Schools—Opening Up of Commercial Street—Planting Trees in Wellmeadow—Franchise
Demonstration—County Council —Boundary Commission—Public Park : a Generous
Gift— Burgh Seal—Macpherson Memorial Fountain—New Sewage Works—Visit of Lord
Wolseley—The Bailies of Blair— Magistrates—Provosts,

Chapter XIII.
Walks and Drives around Blairgowrie—To Lornty and the Heughs—Round Knock-ma-har—Round
the Golf Course— Places of Interest near Blairgowrie—Distances from
Blairgowrie—The Royal Route—Blairgowrie to Dunkeld—To Alyth—To Coupar Angus.

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